1:50th Scale Komatsu WA600 Wheeled Loader
This is the new 1:50th scale Komatsu WA600 wheeled loader from Universal Hobbies. The model has freely rotating wheels with authentic rubber tyres and detailed wheel hubs.
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The rear of the model features a small counterweight with rear facing light clusters on each side of the engine cover, complete with simulated brake, indicator and reversing lights. The rear plastic cooling grill is finely detailed with the cooling fan blades visible behind the grill. There is also a safety mirror fixed to the rear of the engine bay so the driver can see behind the vehicle which is a nice touch on the model. |
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The cab is exceptionally well detailed with all the details of the real machine produced in miniature. Access walkways are present on both sides of the cab with a walkway behind the cab. The main access to the cab is via the platform mounted to the side of the engine bay above the rear wheel which is made of plastic with an authentic anti slip texture. The plastic handrails that are fitted to the walkways are realistically scaled with rear view mirrors integrated at the front.
The front loader arms can be raised quite high and the Z bar bucket linkage also has a good degree of movement with hydraulic hose detailing added to the lift and tip cylinders. The metal bucket has nicely defined teeth and wear plate detail with a rock guard fitted to the top edge which actually has small cut-outs. |
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The articulated steering cannot really be called functional because there is very little degree of movement. How is it that Universal Hobbies are unable to get the articulation correct on wheel loader models, as the WA75 has the same problem with very little steering movement.
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Yet again, Universal Hobbies have produced a nice model with a high level of detail, however, on the model presented here, there are some serious issues with quality. It is widely known that the Universal Hobbies models are more than 50% plastic and while I for one would prefer more metal, this in itself is not a real issue when the detail level is very high.
On the model here, the plastic parts are a different colour shade, mainly due to the very poor painting of the metal parts. Several areas on the loader arms and bucket have a very thin paint layer which is not enough to cover the underlying primer colour. This is a real dissapointment and looks like the models have been rushed to get them out. (Notice on the picture above, the different shade between the bucket and rock guard)
In conclusion, this is a nice model but the paint finish and poor articulated steering spoil what could have been another great addition to the Komatsu fleet. In my opinion, the WA500 from First Gear is far superior and mostly metal to boot.